Effects of forest type on overland flow generation

Abstract

This study was aimed to examine effects of forest type on Hortonian overland flow generation by field observations of overland flow. We conducted field observations in Kochi, Mie, and Tokyo sites. Overland flow was observed at each three monitoring plots (0.5 x 2.0 m) installed in the three sites. Observation results of the overland flow suggest that the overland flow was generated in all hillslopes covered by broadleaf, sugi, managed hinoki, and unmanaged hinoki forests. However, hillslopes covered by hinoki forests tended to generate greater runoff peaks of overland flow than other forest types. The greater peak overland flow may cause large storm runoff peaks from headwater catchments covered by hinoki forests.